{"id":1984,"date":"2026-05-14T07:36:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T07:36:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.cherrychapters.com\/gentlesimmer\/?p=1984"},"modified":"2026-05-14T07:36:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T07:36:59","slug":"homemade-pretzels-soft-buttery-better-than-the-mall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.cherrychapters.com\/gentlesimmer\/2026\/05\/14\/homemade-pretzels-soft-buttery-better-than-the-mall\/","title":{"rendered":"Homemade Pretzels: Soft, Buttery, Better Than the Mall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mall pretzels are fine. Homemade pretzels are a religious experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are soft, chewy, shiny, and begging for mustard or cheese sauce. The secret? A quick baking soda bath before baking. No lye. No drama. Just twisted, salty perfection in under an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Makes 8 pretzels.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the Dough:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 1 packet (2 \u00bc tsp) instant yeast<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 1 tablespoon sugar<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 1 teaspoon salt<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 1 cup warm water (about 110\u00b0F)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    For the Baking Soda Bath:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • 10 cups water<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u2154 cup baking soda<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      For Topping:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Coarse sea salt or pretzel salt<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u00bc cup melted butter (for brushing after baking)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Step-by-Step Instructions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Step 1: Make the Dough<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Whisk flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a bowl.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Add warm water and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Let rise in a greased bowl for 30 minutes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Step 2: Shape the Pretzels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Preheat oven to 450\u00b0F (230\u00b0C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Divide dough into 8 pieces. Roll each into a 20-inch rope.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Form a U-shape. Cross the ends twice. Flip down to the bottom of the U.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Step 3: The Baking Soda Bath<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. Bring 10 cups water to a boil. Add baking soda (it will bubble).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Drop each pretzel in for 20-30 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. Place on baking sheet.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              Step 4: Bake & Butter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              1. Brush pretzels with egg wash. Sprinkle with coarse salt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. Bake for 10-12 minutes until deep golden brown.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              3. Brush hot pretzels with melted butter. Serve warm with mustard or cheese sauce.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                Prep Time:<\/strong> 15 minutes | Rise Time:<\/strong> 30 minutes | Bake Time:<\/strong> 12 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Yield:<\/strong> 8 pretzels | Difficulty:<\/strong> Easy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Storage Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, spritz with water and air fry at 350\u00b0F for 3-4 minutes or bake at 350\u00b0F for 5 minutes. Microwave makes them rubbery\u2014don’t do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Chewy, golden, salty, and dippable. These soft pretzels taste like they came from a street cart in Philly. No lye. No deep fryer. Just a baking soda bath and serious butter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2002,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,7],"tags":[1643,1645,1644,1641,1639,1642,1640],"class_list":["post-1984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-baking","category-quick_meals","tag-baked-pretzels","tag-bavarian-pretzels","tag-buttery-pretzels","tag-easy-pretzels","tag-homemade-soft-pretzels","tag-pretzel-recipe-from-scratch","tag-soft-pretzel-recipe"],"yoast_head":"\nHomemade Pretzels: Soft, Buttery, Better Than the Mall - Gentle Simmer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.cherrychapters.com\/gentlesimmer\/2026\/05\/14\/homemade-pretzels-soft-buttery-better-than-the-mall\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Homemade Pretzels: Soft, Buttery, Better Than the Mall - Gentle Simmer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chewy, golden, salty, and dippable. 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